Baked Pears with Oatmeal Crisp Topping

Brooke Bulloch, RD and mom

Pear season in Canada runs August to November. They make a delicious grab-and-go alternative to apples but can also be grilled on the BBQ, added to salads, or baked for dessert. Impress your dinner guests with this Fall-inspired dessert! Not only is it delicious, it is rich in nutrients including fibre, zinc, iron and vitamin C.

For more ideas on how to incorporate pears, check out this media segment with Brooke.

Pre-heat oven (or BBQ) to 400F.

Ingredients

3 ripe pears
1/4 cup melted butter or vegan margarine
1/2 cup rolled or quick oats
1/4 cup pressed brown sugar
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds (optional to substitute 1/4 cup sliced almonds, or chopped walnuts).
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
A pinch of salt
Maple Syrup drizzle

Directions

1) Preheat oven (or BBQ) to 400ºF. Halve pears and scoop out some of the center to fit the oatmeal filling.
2) Brush insides of pears with ~1-2 tablespoons of the melted butter/margarine.
3) In a medium bowl combine the oats, brown sugar, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon and salt. Pour remaining melted butter/margarine in with the oat mixture bowl and mix well with a spoon.
4) Spoon oat mixture into the pear halves, evenly. Drizzle with maple syrup and bake, uncovered about 35 minutes.

Top with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen dairy alternative and serve warm.